Television and digital entertainment are beginning to dominate our children’s lives. And with Southeast Asia being the world’s fastest growing gaming market, the trend is only set to continue. But it’s the great outdoors rather than indoors that offers the most development opportunities for your kids. Freedom and space for movement helps develop gross motor skills, different styles of play encourage diverse social interactions, and being in nature challenges the brain and enhances mental wellbeing.
So, how do you entice your child away from the screen and move them outside? The answer lies in your own backyard! Simply create a child-friendly outdoor space that offers a play paradise where they can explore, be inspired and let off steam. Here are a few ideas to get you started with your child-friendly garden.
Add play equipment
The obvious place to start is to invest in play equipment, such as a slide or sand pit. But play equipment doesn’t need to be an expensive and bulky addition to your backyard. You may already have a tree that can be used for adventurous climbing. Or if your tree doesn’t lend itself to climbing, hang a tyre swing from a sturdy branch to guarantee good old-fashioned fun.
Add water
In our hot sticky climate, playing with water can be wonderfully refreshing. If you have an outdoor water tap, simply connect a hose and let the fun ensue. Or why not install a large water fountain to ensure you have an ever-present source of water play. This will also attract bathing birds - an absorbing spectacle - and provide an elegant, decorative centerpiece that you will be able to enjoy as much as your children.
Create a hideaway
Kids like nothing better than their own secret den. You can invest in a playhouse or tree house, but it might be possible to create a simple hideaway by hanging a hammock in a shady spot, placing a small garden seat beneath overhanging branches, or laying a secret path that leads to a cozy nook. Alternatively, have a portable tent to hand which can also be used for easy backyard camping expeditions.
Attract nature
Let your children discover the wonders of the natural world by attracting wildlife to your garden. If you have trees and palms, they will already be home to an array of birds and insects just waiting to be investigated. And to encourage more fauna, plant native flowering species, such as begonias and orchids, that will attract pollinating butterflies and insects. Equip your child with binoculars, a magnifying glass and identification books and they will become nature detectives!
Create a vegetable and fruit garden
Planting a vegetable and fruit garden together will open your child’s eyes to the miracle of growth and will encourage them to take ownership and tend to their plants. They will learn valuable lessons in science and be able to taste the literal fruits of their labor by harvesting and eating their produce. For a first easy step, try growing dragon fruit in pots.
Simply add a few of these elements to your backyard and watch your child reap the vast rewards of outdoor play, whether it be through physical movement, nature exploration or imaginary play. A host of opportunities await them on their doorstep.
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